City comparison
Yes. Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 62 in Plano, and its violent crime index is 24 versus 43, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Plano is cheaper. Median rent is $1,841 a month versus $2,997 in Irvine.
The cost gap between Irvine and Plano is the real story here. Plano comes in 39% cheaper on typical rent ($2,997 vs $1,841), which over a year adds up to $13,872. Median household income runs $136,719 in Irvine and $112,253 in Plano.
This is a genuine split. Irvine wins on the job market and safety and Plano wins on cost of living. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Plano at $1,841 average has pockets that run $1,641 and others at $2,241: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Irvine and Plano are 1,218 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,997 a month in Irvine to $1,841 a month in Plano, down $1,156 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $136,719 in Irvine to $112,253 in Plano, down $24,466 (18%).
The crime index goes from 51 in Irvine to 62 in Plano, up 11 points (22%).
The move
Plano and Irvine are 1,218 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,841 a month in Plano to $2,997 a month in Irvine, up $1,156 a month (63%).
Median household income goes from $112,253 in Plano to $136,719 in Irvine, up $24,466 (22%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Plano to 51 in Irvine, down 11 points (18%).
Irvine, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Plano, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Irvine and Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
39% cheaper
Plano rent is 39% cheaper than Irvine
Irvine
$2,997/mo
Plano
Winner$1,841/mo
Typical rent runs $1,841 a month in Plano versus $2,997 in Irvine, so Plano is 39% cheaper. That's roughly $1,156/month back in your pocket ($13,872/year). Over five years that's $69,360 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Irvine, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Plano is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Irvine? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
22% higher
Irvine's median income is 22% higher than Plano
Irvine
Winner$136,719
Plano
$112,253
Median household income is $136,719 in Irvine versus $112,253 in Plano, so typical pay runs 22% higher in Irvine (about $24,466 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Irvine is the stronger labor market on paper. Plano can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
18% lower crime
Irvine's crime index is 18% lower than Plano
Irvine
Winner51 (100 = avg)
Plano
62 (100 = avg)
Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 62 in Plano (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 18% lower in Irvine. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Irvine is the easier city. Plano can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Irvine and Plano are about even on typical weather.
Irvine
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Plano
69°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irvine averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Plano averages about 69°F (77°F highs). Irvine sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Plano sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Irvine is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 22% higher here ($136,719). Start with Irvine if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Irvine is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 18% lower than Plano (51 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Plano
Plano is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 39% cheaper here at about $1,841 a month. Choose Plano if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,841/month in Plano versus $2,997 in Irvine. Median income reads $112,253 in Plano and $136,719 in Irvine, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Plano rent at $1,841/month is still below Irvine's $2,997, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $136,719 in Irvine versus $112,253 in Plano.
Pick Plano when shaving $1,156 off rent at $1,841/month is the priority. Otherwise, Irvine's case rests on $2,997/month rent with $136,719 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Irvine and Plano, plus other cities in CA and TX.
